Xiao Man was satisfied, reading the divorce agreement from beginning to end. "Good, good. Since you're being so cooperative, I'll let you off. Stop beating."
The constables carrying out the punishment looked at Ling Xuan. Ling Xuan glared fiercely at Xiao Man, "Do you think the law is child's play?"
Xiao Man leaned closer to Ling Xuan, "If you don't want to embarrass yourself in public later, you'd better behave."
Ling Xuan's already ashen face turned completely dark, and he immediately signaled his subordinates to stop.
Xiao Man smiled with satisfaction, "He Lao Er, Luo Shi is divorcing you today. This house belongs to you. He Ye has chosen to follow Luo Shi. From today onwards, you are both free to marry and remarry, and are no longer connected."
"What?" He Lao Er's eyes widened. "Divorce? I don't want..."
"Hmm?"
"Divorce, divorce, I divorce." He Lao Er, startled by a glance from Xiao Man, immediately changed his tune. He would deal with the immediate situation first. Hmph, there were plenty of women in the world. He didn't believe that he couldn't live without Luo Shi. On the contrary, he wanted to see if Luo Shi could live without him!
"Aunt, pack your things, and let's go." Xiao Man handed the divorce agreement to Luo Shi. "Later, we'll have someone go to the yamen to register it. I believe Lord Ling will be happy to help us."
"Miss, you are being too unreasonable. Remember, it is better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage. First, you forcibly broke off my engagement, and now you are forcing others to divorce. Isn't that too arrogant?" Ling Xuan gritted his teeth.
Xiao Man looked innocent, "Aunt, is the divorce your voluntary choice?"
"It is my voluntary choice."
"He Lao Er, is the divorce your voluntary choice?"
He Lao Er wished he could nod his head off, just wanting to send this jinx away quickly. "Voluntary, it is voluntary."
"You see, they are all voluntary. I did not force them." Xiao Man said with a smile. "As for breaking off the engagement, that was your own doing." Su Dan Novel Network
Ling Xuan grabbed Xiao Man's arm, "Xiao Man, one day, I will find evidence of your crimes and bring you to justice!"
"I look forward to that day."
There was nothing valuable in the house. Luo Shi packed two sets of clothes and left with Xiao Man. Xiao Man had only taken two steps when she turned back and took away the gifts she had brought.
"These were brought for Aunt to eat. Since Aunt intends to leave, you should take your things with you."
Xiao Man mounted her horse. "Constable Ling, thank you for today. Otherwise, it would not have been so easy for us to leave. Goodbye."
Constable Ling watched Xiao Man and her party's retreating figures, his teeth grinding. For some reason, every time he saw Xiao Man, he felt like his head was on fire, wishing he could rush up and beat her!
Xiao Man and her group of three entered the city. They did not go to the General's mansion but were led by Xiao Man to Xuanwu Street, where they stopped in front of a two-courtyard house.
Xiao Man threw the key to He Ye, "Open the door and take your mother in. What are you standing there for?"
He Ye looked at the key in his hand, immediately stepped forward, unlocked the lock on the vermilion lacquered main door, and pushed it open. The courtyard was clean and tidy, spacious enough for the mother and son to live in.
"Aunt, you will live here from now on. Come and see if you like it."
Luo Shi was a little reserved. After living in a dilapidated thatched hut for a lifetime, suddenly moving into such a fine house, she felt a bit unreal.
He Ye walked side-by-side with Xiao Man behind them. Xiao Man slipped a land deed into his hand. He Ye looked directly at Xiao Man, "Miss, this..."
"This is your deed of sale." Xiao Man said playfully. "You are now my person, so how can I treat you poorly? Also, here is one hundred taels of silver. Go buy a young maid to serve your mother, and also purchase some daily necessities. Once you are settled, we can think about other matters."
"Miss..." He Ye's voice choked.
"A man does not shed tears easily." Xiao Man said in a low voice. "If you want to thank this lady, then work hard for this lady."
"Your subordinate will follow Miss's lead, and die without regret."
"This lady will remember your words." Xiao Man smiled gently, like plum blossoms blooming in early spring, captivating the heart.
In the first month of the lunar calendar, people visited relatives and friends. Every household was very lively.
The General's mansion held its annual gathering on the fifth day. From early morning, the mansion began to bustle with activity, making the entire General's mansion exceptionally lively.
Around noon, guests began to arrive one after another. The male guests were received by Xiao Zhen and his son, while the female guests were handled by Xiao Man and Chu Qingge. The sisters-in-law cooperated very well. The young ladies and concubines of the mansion also came out to help.
Xiao Man and Xiao Luo, brother and sister, stood at the entrance to welcome guests. Carriages stopped at the entrance from time to time, and people came and went incessantly. The siblings smiled and ushered the guests in, arranged their seats, and then returned to the entrance.
When Nangong Yi arrived, he had a sullen face, looking unwilling but having no choice but to come.
"Your Highness Prince Qi."
"Don't talk to me. I haven't forgiven you yet!" Nangong Yi glared at Xiao Man. He hadn't looked for Xiao Man during this time, and Xiao Man hadn't looked for him, leaving him with no excuse to reconcile.
Xiao Man touched her nose, still holding a grudge. So petty. Her gaze inadvertently fell on the woman behind Nangong Yi. She felt as if she had seen this woman somewhere before.
"Thirteenth Brother."
"Crown Prince Brother." Nangong Yi saw the Crown Prince arrive and quickly bowed.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Rise, no need to be so formal." The Crown Prince's smile was gentle, and his tone was mild. "How can you, a grown man, make things difficult for a young lady?"
"I wouldn't dare make things difficult for her." Nangong Yi said indignantly. "It's she who is making things difficult for me."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness Prince Qi, please come inside." Xiao Luo immediately invited the two in. Nangong Yi lingered, reluctant to leave. Seeing that Xiao Man had no intention of continuing to speak with him, he flicked his sleeve and followed them in.
The woman quickly followed after Prince Qi entered, not forgetting to smile and bow to Xiao Man.
Xiao Man's gaze followed the woman. Where had she seen her before?
"What are you looking at? So intently?" A teasing voice came from behind.
"Looking at Prince Qi..." Xiao Man realized, and turned to see Madam Chu and Chu Jingyu arriving. She quickly smiled, "Aunt, you're here. Sister-in-law has been mentioning you for a long time."
Madam Chu smiled and held Xiao Man's hand, "Then I'll go see Qingge first. You're busy."
Madam Chu went in with her maid, but Chu Jingyu did not follow. Instead, he stood at the entrance and spoke to Xiao Man, "The gambling houses outside have opened their odds, betting on who will become your husband. Prince Qin was the favorite before, but recently it's become Minister Wen. I heard Prince Qi is also being considered."
"He is my future brother-in-law. Looking a couple more times should be fine, right?" Xiao Man said with a smile.
"Naturally, it's fine." Chu Jingyu said softly, "However, there are many people watching you now. You should be more careful in your actions."
"Thank you, Brother Chu, for the reminder."